as your main contacts. Clear communication will
prevent any nasty surprises.

1. Don’t get on your flight coming straight
from the office.

3. Bye-bye WiFi

This is probably the most vital tip: if your last day of

WiFi is everywhere, and it can be tempting to take a

work is on a Friday, don’t fly or drive off on your

quick glance at your work inbox. But with your phone

holiday until Sunday at the earliest. That way,

alerting you to each new incoming message, before

you can wind down on Friday evening and have

you know it you’ll be working as usual. Seek out WiFi-

all of Saturday to pack and get organized. Back at

free spots like the beach or mountains, or simply

the office on a Monday? Then Saturday morning

turn your WiFi off. It’s healthy to take a mental break

P.S.

is the perfect time to return home. It’s not a waste

from work and not be available every now and then!

The next issue of Hello

of valuable vacation time; it gives you a chance to
recalibrate so you can start the week refreshed!

Take these tips, and your summer will be off to a good start!

Zuidas is scheduled for
the 29 th of August

Thinking of staying in Zuidas this summer? You might be interested to know that Europe’s top athletes
will be gathering at the Olympic Stadium for the European Athletics Championships. And you can do
some training of your own on the new outdoor fitness equipment in Beatrixpark, or swim in Clubsportive’s
new pool. Starting on 12 July, Mahlerplein will host a three-day cycling extravaganza, where you can
pedal for charity in a mini-velodrome, admire stunt acts, spread a picnic blanket, test-drive a new
(e-)bike, ride an architecture route on your bicycle, and much more. In August, the Grachtenfestival will
feature several concerts on lovely locations throughout Zuidas. Whether you’re staying in Amsterdam
or heading abroad, I wish you a wonderful summer.
Olivier Otten, managing director of Hello Zuidas

47
With an excellent business climate, world-renowned educational institutions within reach, and leading companies in many sectors
from many countries, Zuidas has huge potential. The foundation Hello Zuidas contributes to Zuidas by realizing a well functioning
area. The goal is to promote a district that has international appeal, and high quality working and living conditions.

‘It’s in our DNA to keep building the
bank from one generation to the next’
As a newly-minted econometrics graduate from Erasmus University Rotterdam, Paul Gerla went to work for Shell at the age of 22.
For the next 17 years, he traveled the world for this multinational company - going from Colombia to Malaysia. Gerla genuinely
enjoyed all the learning it brought; still, by the time he was 38, with a growing family thrown into the mix, he was ready for a
change of career and a return to the Netherlands. When he became acquainted with the Dutch merchant bank Kempen & Co,
he knew that it was a venture to which he could devote himself heart and soul. He became part of a group of committed
professionals who were working to expand the reach and reputation of the bank. And that is precisely what they did. In an
interview with Hello Zuidas, Gerla talks about his position as Kempen’s CEO, his views on Zuidas, and the vision driving the bank.
Could you tell us something about the bank’s history?

expectations is to devote lots of time to building a strong

Kempen & Co was started back in 1903 by Mr. Kempen and his

culture among our employees, and that’s an aspect I really like.

associate Martin de Lange (hence the ‘Co’). De Lange eventually
took over the business, and his son in turn succeeded him. If you

As a bank, what challenges are you up against?

look at our history, you can see that it’s fundamentally rooted in

At a company like Kempen, the challenges are massive.

our DNA to keep building the bank from one generation to the next,

All around us the markets are constantly changing. The world is

and that really appeals to me. We’ve had our office in Zuidas since

a highly competitive place. There’s never a dull moment, really.

2002. These are our headquarters, employing up to 500 people,

And there are so many fascinating issues to be tackled. The pension

but we also have offices in Edinburgh, London and New York.

sector has been turned upside down. Whereas society was once
community-driven, there is now more emphasis on the individual.

What are the bank’s areas of specialization?

The question is how do you, as a business, respond to these

Kempen is active in Merchant Banking and in Asset Management

developments? It is my belief that there are plenty of opportunities

(Kempen Capital Management). Kempen Capital Management is

for an agile bank like Kempen.

our specialist asset manager, having a sharp focus and a clear
investment philosophy, catering for two core activities. Firstly,
we excel in a number of asset classes: small caps, property,
high-dividend equities, fixed-income securities and funds of hedge
funds. Secondly, we offer institutional clients a fiduciary service
that provides them with a fully comprehensive asset management
solution, based on their own specific needs. These clients include

‘The trick is getting strong
individuals to put their heads
together and create something great’

both domestic and international institutional investors, such as
pension funds, family offices and insurance companies.
Our Merchant Banking arm (Kempen Corporate Finance and

What does a typical working day look like for you?

Kempen Securities) offers specialist services in areas such as

My alarm goes off at a quarter to six. Since I live in The Hague,

securities, mergers and acquisitions, capital market transactions

I have to commute to Zuidas. I arrive at half past seven, ahead

and finance advice to institutional investors, companies,

of the rush hour. During the day I’ll have visits with clients,

financial institutions and semi-public and public entities.

activities with staff and meetings with the Kempen or Van

Merchant Banking has adopted a niche strategy and, in addition

Lanschot management team. I regularly try to have walking

to acquiring a substantial share of the Benelux market, has evolved

meetings with staff and clients at the Beatrixpark, one of the most

into one of the international market leaders in life sciences and

beautiful parks in Amsterdam. My schedule is full most evenings

healthcare, financial institutions and fintech, and European property.

as well, with engagements here in Zuidas or elsewhere in the
Netherlands. I’m on the board of the Dutch Fund and Asset

What is the vision driving the bank?

Management Association (DUFAS), a body that represents

For me, the motto says it all: From Good to Great. We constantly

all asset managers in the Netherlands, and I am also on the

strive to inspire our staff. Our strategy for fulfilling clients’

supervisory board of the Spaarne Gasthuis. So I’m always busy!

Text Romy Lange | Photography Jalisa Oudenaarde

9.

Sports are also important to me. The Romans knew what they

breathing and heartbeat. I rarely have any physical complaints

were talking about, with their maxim ‘a healthy mind in a healthy

and when I do, I generally recover fairly quickly.

body’. Keeping fit is a must for me, and we also try to promote
that mentality among the staff. For example, we sponsor the

What is Kempen’s view of current developments

Amsterdam student rowing club Nereus, and a hockey club,

in Zuidas?

Pinoké, and have been taking part in the Dam tot Damloop

I’ve worked here for almost 12 years and am really impressed by

and Zuidas Run for years.

the developments. Everybody who works here, I think, is proud
of this location and enjoys working here. It’s also crucial for us

What is Kempen’s relationship with Van Lanschot?

to be close to Schiphol. We receive lots of visitors from abroad,

In 2007 the private bank Van Lanschot bought Kempen & Co.

and it’s a genuine advantage for them to be able to take the train

Our core activities cooperate in many areas and draw from the

and be at our office in no time. However, this is also a source of

strong foundations of the group. Private Banking and Asset

concern, because with all the activities planned – like Zuidasdok

Management, for example, share the same in-house investment

– we want to be sure clients will continue to be able to reach us

philosophy and process. This enables private clients to benefit

easily. Clearly it is not in anybody’s interest for Zuidas to be closed

from the same specialist expertise as some of the biggest investors

off for years, but we did sign for a long renewal on our lease,

in the world. The Merchant Bank provides solutions to Private

in spite of these large-scale works.

Banking clients, such as notes or certificates based on an index,
or an equity. Furthermore we can attract and retain talented
professionals by enabling career steps between our core activities.
Paul Gerla
What do you do to unwind or to recharge your

• Paul Gerla (born 1966) was appointed in late 2004 to

battery for another working week?

the Management board of Kempen Capital Management,

All sorts of things. For starters, I spend time at home with

a division of Kempen & Co. Since 1 January 2009 he has

my family. I’ve got one son who is 12, and another who’s 19.

been a member of the management board of Kempen & Co

Apart from that, I work out a lot, get together with friends in

and has been chair since March 2015.

the evening for a good laugh, and I recently got involved in the

• Gerla has a degree in econometrics, obtained at

Holland Festival. I got to meet people from totally different

sectors there, which has served to expand my horizon. And it also

• Besides Kempen, Gerla is on the board of the

helps to focus your mind on something else. It’s important to

Dutch Fund and Asset Management Association

listen to yourself and take a break every now and then. I recently

(DUFAS), on the supervisory board of the

participated in Kempen’s vitality programme. Since then I’ve

Spaarne Gasthuis and on the Holland Festival

been using a seven-minute workout app every morning as well

board of governors.

as a mindfulness app which trains you to synchronize your

10.

Erasmus University Rotterdam.

NW

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BUILDING ZUIDAS

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Construction works July and August

DIVERSION
ZUIDER AMSTELKANAAL

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DIVERSION

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AMSTELVEENSEWEG

ARENT JANSZOON ERNSTSTRAAT

ARENT JANSZOON ERNSTSTRAAT

1. NEW BICYCLE PARKING FACILITY AT GUSTAV MAHLERPLEIN
Beneath Gustav Mahlerplein, in the heart of Zuidas, work on a new bicycle parking facility is
VAN NIJENRODEWEG

VAN NIJENRODEWEG

VAN NIJENRODEWEG

well on its way. The facility is a part of the larger Zuidasdok project, which also encompasses
the construction of additional lanes and a tunnel for the A10 south motorway, as well as

CONSTRUCTION AREA 1
DE BOELELAAN WEST
(Intersection Van der Boechorststraat)

CONSTRUCTION AREA 2

DIVERSION 1

(From Beethovenstraat till Europaboulevard)

(via s108)

DE Zuid
BOELELAAN
OOST Plans for Zuidasdok will result
Gustav Mahlerlaan
VUmc
expansion of Amsterdam
station.
in theand
loss
of 1,400

aboveground bike parking spaces located at the south entrance to Amsterdam Zuid station,

DIVERSION 2
VUmc and Van der Boechorststraat
(via s108)

DIVERSION 3
VU and Zuidas Ce
(via s109)

but this will be amply compensated by the 3,000 spaces to become available once the new
underground bike park opens. Work is now entering the final phase, and as of this summer
Zuidas cyclists will be able to park their wheels in the secure facility. The official opening
will be held on Thursday 14 July at 9:30am, with Amsterdam Alderman for Traffic and
Transport Pieter Litjens doing the honours.

2. DE BOELELAAN EAST
Construction works along De Boelelaan East got underway in
March. Over the next two years, the section from Beethovenstraat
up to Europaboulevard will receive a complete overhaul, though all
of the buildings will remain accessible. Traffic on the roads,
however, will be significantly hampered during this period. As of
September 2016, De Boelelaan East will be narrowed from four
car lanes to two. Part of the traffic will be diverted.

12.

BUILDING ZUIDAS

HELDELEIN

LEGENDA
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EL

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A
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(INTERSECTION VAN DER
BOECHORSTSTRAAT)

P

EUROPABOULEV
AR

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CONSTRUCTION AREA 2
DE BOELELAAN OOST

(FROM BEETHOVENSTRAAT
TO EUROPABOULEVARD)

D

entre

CONSTRUCTION AREA 1
DE BOELELAAN WEST

DIVERSION

DIVERSION 1

GUSTAV MAHLERLAAN
AND VUMC (VIA S108)

DIVERSION 2

S109

A10

VUMC AND VAN DER
BOECHORSTSTRAAT (VIA S108)

DIVERSION 3

VUMC AND ZUIDAS CENTRE
(VIA S109)

DETOUR CYCLISTS

AND PEDESTRIANS

Feico Born & Ivo Taal

AMSTELPARK

AMSTEL

Access to Zuidas

Zuidas is gearing up for a huge challenge in the period ahead. Even as it continues to thrive and grow with more

With both De Boelelaan West and East under construction,

offices, residential housing and facilities bringing ever more activity to the district, all that growth also means

3. DE BOELELAAN WEST

access to Zuidas will be more restricted than usual.

Zuidas will be chock-a-block with construction works for the next decade or so. Disruptions will be unavoidable for

A sewage pumping station was recently installed near The Edge,

Commuters should plan for diversions, delays and

those who live, work and do business in Zuidas. Over the next few years, two very different types of people will be

the office tower occupied by Deloitte. The next step will be to

additional travel time, especially during rush hours,

interacting a good deal here in Zuidas: the builders in their bright orange vests, and the businessmen and -women

lay a pipeline underneath the intersection of De Boelelaan and

and would do well to use alternatives, such as travelling

in their freshly pressed suits. As dissimilar as they are, they are also equally dependent on each other. It’s a perfect

DETOUR CYCLISTS
Van der Boechorststraat,
AND PEDESTRIANS in order to connect this facility with

by public transport or bike. Another option is to park

recipe for some interesting encounters. In this issue we feature Ivo Taal, development manager at G&S Vastgoed,

the sewer south of De Boelelaan. This project will be carried

the car outside Zuidas and continue the journey by

and Feico Born, pile driving supervisor at Sterk Heiwerken.

out in July and August. The intersection will be closed to all car

using public transport. To find a convenient Park & Ride,

traffic for two full months, and to trams for the duration of one

see the website: www.amsterdam.nl/penr. Employers

Ivo Taal: ‘From August 2015 I’ve been working for G&S on

the plans on paper are now literally taking shape. That fills

week. Please check the GVB website (www.gvb.nl) for further

can also get travel and mobility advice for their staff

one of the first buildings to go up in Zuidas: the Atrium.

me with admiration. Every week they have advanced a

details and updates. The road will remain open to cyclists and

from the website www.wijzijnbreikers.nl.

In 2015 we began work on the renovation of the Atrium

bit further.’

pedestrians. The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam building,

and the construction of a new car park around the building.

VUmc and other buildings will remain accessible as usual.

This spring, we got started on the new towers. Altogether,

Feico Born: ‘Currently we’re installing the steel sheet pile

it’s a huge and complex project, combining every facet of

walls for the car park beneath the Atrium. As the pile

reconstruction and new building. I’m the main liaison for

driving supervisor, I’m in charge of all the works happening

all the various stakeholders, including the municipality,

underneath the crane. Working at the Atrium constitutes

local interest groups, consultants, existing and future tenants

a special challenge, because the space is extremely limited.

as well as the building contractors. My work involves meeting

I go all over for my job, and it’s nice to be outdoors too.

up with project leaders and senior managers and holding

Sitting in an office all day like the professionals here in

weekly sessions on building progress, but there’s also time

Zuidas wouldn’t be my cup of tea. My team’s work invariably

left to stop for a chat at the site hut. It’s an honour to be

consists of laying the foundation for a project; we’re never

able to give one of the oldest buildings in Zuidas a new

around for the end result. But occasionally we do drive

lease of life. Thanks to Feico and the rest of the team,

past later on to see how it turned out.’

MORE INFO!

www.amsterdam.nl/zuidas
www.zuidasdok.nl

Text Kika Samsom | Photography Wiebke Wilting

13.

BUILDING ZUIDAS

PUBLIC SPACE

‘ The most
sustainable mile
is the mile
not driven’

Got a
minute?
How does Zuidas manage to stay this safe, clean and
attractive? It’s all thanks to a few heroes. Hello Zuidas

Lysbeth van Silfhout, Mobility Mix project leader at ABN AMRO

talked to the people responsible for managing our local
public space.

The municipality of Amsterdam is making a distinct

a lease car who only come into the office sporadically,

effort to guarantee a continuously high level of access

regardless of where they live, are being encouraged under

to Zuidas. On the one hand this is achieved through

the new policy to take the train instead, for which we give

CLEAN

investments in infrastructure and underground parking,

them public transport tickets. That way, they can park

Ali El Bazi is a member of the management and maintenance

and on the other by getting employers to survey options

at a Park & Ride station near their home. Beyond that,

team that keeps Zuidas clean. ‘I’ve been working in Zuidas

for curbing car traffic. In an interview with Hello Zuidas,

we’re working to make it as easy as possible for people

for two years now and have gotten to know the residents

Lysbeth van Silfhout, Mobility Mix project leader at

to work from home or on one of our other locations.’

during that time. They know when I’m here and they come
to me when they have a question. People really count on

ABN AMRO, told us what the bank does to cut down on
car commuting to Zuidas, seeking various alternatives:

E-BIKES

you, and that’s important. Every day I go to work with a

from e-bikes to teleworking, and from extra charging

‘We also see huge potential in e-bikes. The advent of

smile on my face. I’ve got great colleagues, I work in a

stations to lockers and showers.

electric cycling considerably extends the distance people

beautiful setting, I’m outdoors all day and get to talk to

can cover by bike. Last year we did a pilot with a high-

people. What more could one wish for?’

SUSTAINABLE MILEAGE

speed e-bike. Participants rated it an 8 out of 10 –

‘Our transport policy centres on sustainability. ABN AMRO

even during rainy weather! Alongside our standard bike

intends to be fully climate neutral by 2020, and lease cars

scheme, we’ve now got one for e-bikes, too. And we are

CHALLENGE

currently account for the largest share of our carbon emissions.

currently installing extra charging stations, lockers and

Together with his 21-member team, Zuidas District Manager

So car mileage is what we aim to cut down on. The most

showers for bike and e-bike commuters.’

Peter Smit keeps the district clean, safe and in good repair.
‘There’s a lot of development going on here, obviously. We assess

sustainable mile, after all, is the mile not driven. Naturally

the feasibility of managing the new facilities, and the costs

this issue is also tied to the accessibility challenges in
Zuidas, where our main office is based. Gridlock in traffic

One of the aims of the Zuidasdok project is to

involved. The new Gustav Mahlerplein, for example, has to be

and limited parking availability are forcing us to develop

maximize public transport access to Zuidas and the

swept and mowed by hand. Aside from that, I’m responsible for

more attractive alternatives.’

northern Randstad area. Amsterdam Zuid station

issuing all permits for works in public areas. Everyone planning

will be upgraded to serve as a future-proof public

such works has to apply for a permit from the municipal

PUBLIC TRANSPORT PASSES AND TELEWORKING

transport hub for train, tram, bus and metro services.

authorities. Our aim is to guarantee the highest possible level

‘For one thing, we’ve rearranged our public transport

Zuidasdok feeds into the continued development

of liveability, accessibility and safety during all these activities,

season pass scheme for employees who don’t have a lease

of Zuidas as a prime residential, working and

which can be quite a challenge. Zuidas is never at rest, so there

car. Before, you had to request a pass, now you get one as a

recreational location. For further information,

never is a lull in my job either. When the VU hospital flooded

standard. Employees can opt out if they want. This strategy

visit www.zuidasdok.nl

recently, due to a burst water main, I dropped everything I was

is working: a full 67% tend to keep the pass. Employees with

Text Kika Samsom | Photography Wouter van Ierssel

doing at that moment. All my energies were focused out there.’

14.

For more info or questions, send an email to leef@zuidas.nl.

PUBLIC SPACE

MORNING RUSH HOUR
Vadim Povoroznik is in charge of the bicycle park underneath
Zuidplein. His employer is Pantar, a work placement and
training company for the Amsterdam region. ‘This is one of the
busiest locations in Amsterdam, and that’s what makes it so
much fun. During the morning rush hour, it’s absolute chaos.
On Tuesday mornings, around 2,700 people arrive between 8am
and 9am to park their bikes. In their hurry, people occasionally
forget to take out the keys. We put them in a safe place.
Sometimes, people thank us by giving us biscuits or cakes.
There’s always time for a little chitchat, of course. There are
lots of people I see every day – I even know what time their
trains leave!’

HAPPY
Green Officer Herman Huisen is responsible for green
spaces throughout Amsterdam Zuid. ‘I check whether
contractors adhere by the rules. Whether the tree drip line
– the area around tree trunks – isn’t choked with weeds,
for example, in which case I signal the contractor to take
action. That way I make sure everything stays tidy.
Greenery is vital to public spaces; it makes people happy!
Soon we’ll be putting up flower planters and hanging
baskets on bridges and lanterns around Amsterdam Zuid.
Colourful tulips will totally transform any ordinary square.’

SEE AND BE SEEN
Community police officers Margriet de Vries and Marcel de
Weerd have witnessed Zuidas’ evolution at first hand in recent
years. ‘Zuidas is developing fast’, says Margriet. ‘More and more
people are moving here, and there’s construction activity almost
daily. That entails a distinct set of problems, but it’s also what
makes our work so diverse and exciting. We never know in
advance what the day will have in store’. ‘Our motto’, says Marcel,
‘is “see and be seen”. As community police officers, our network
is a crucial factor in what we do. We keep in touch with
everyone so as to keep all things running smoothly, from the
district office to Hello Zuidas and from retailers to residents.
Colleagues sometimes jokingly refer to us as the “walkie-talkies”
because we always try to talk things out and come up with
solutions together. People really appreciate that.’

Familiarly known as Mr. Zuidas, De Boer has held the
post from 14 September 2009. After one renewal,
he feels the time has come to give up his term of office.
‘I’m nearing 70 and consider this a good time to say
goodbye’, said De Boer.

16.

Zuidas - Union Investment and Tribes have inked a new

NACH consortium building new court house
Zuidas - The Dutch Central Government Real Estate Agency

Holland Financial Center
in Symphony building

has selected the NACH (New Amsterdam Court House)

Zuidas - The top three stories of Symphony feature

consortium to build the new premises for the district court

as the new headquarters of Financial Offices,

of Amsterdam. Initiated by Macquarie Capital, ABT, DVP,

a corporate centre for financial sector enterprises.

Kaan Architecten, Bium and the building firm MJ de Nijs

Financial Offices has purchased a total of 2,000m2 in

& Zonen, the consortium has been expanded to include

the Symphony building, located on Gustav Mahlerplein

Heijmans and Facilicom. The contract concerns a Design,

109-115. The previous owner was the Holland Financial

Build, Finance, Maintain and Operate (DBFMO) project

Center. Initiators of the new Financial Offices are

for a time span of thirty years and a total value of € 235

Salóme Willemsen and Arnoud Hoogendoorn.

million. The definitive awarding of the contract took place

Financial Offices offers furnished office spaces

on 10 May 2016. The new Amsterdam district court house

complete with all services, including ICT, telephony,

will span 52,000m GFA (with 9,000m2 for parking) on the

security, cleaning and administrative support.

2

site of the old complex on Parnassusweg 200 in Zuidas.

LaSalle IM acquires Euro Center II
Zuidas - LaSalle Investment Management has acquired
Euro Center II from the Philips Pension Fund in Zuidas for
its Encore+ fund. A purchase sum of € 41 million has been
registered with the Land Registry Office for the 14-storey
building with an LFA of more than 11,000m2 on Barbara
Strozzilaan 374. Current tenants of the building, part of the
Euro Center complex, include JCDecaux, Pathé Theaters,
Fonterra, Gemalto and Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

Photography Ingrid Arnou

17.

COLUMN

Diversity shortage
in Zuidas
Baut in Zuidas currently features a fantastic display of photos by

We’re heading for a future in which the job market will

Peter Boer. The photos are about you and me. About our uniform-

increasingly be split between winners and losers. On which side

like clothes. About the way we walk in formation as we traverse

of the dividing line will you fall? For children with equal IQs,

the squares of Zuidas during our lunch breaks. About our homo-

educational attainment is more than ever predicated on the

geneity, in short. Or, if you like, about our lack of diversity.

level achieved by their parents. We are living in a society where
people are equal, but opportunities are not. Never before have

All of the photos were shot from above. In these bird’s-eye views,

kids with vocational training been so ill-equipped for employment,

the atmosphere of quality, prosperity and success is palpable.

to say nothing of the big share of the working population with

Looking at these people, there’s a part of you that pities our

permanent physical limitations or intellectual disabilities.

herd-like behaviour. Another part easily recognizes the conquering
heroes of the job market; the service professionals who mostly

To top it all off, there’s digitization. But this trend poses just

earn a far above average wage, enjoy cushy fringe benefits

as much of a threat to our jobs, as it is considered a well-paid

and can afford the more than occasional splurge. They stand

service for professionals. Much of our work can quite easily be

in stark contrast to the thousands of people forced out of their

turned into an automated activity. Whatever else it may bring

jobs at the V&D warehouse chain, of whom only a fractional

us, technology will unquestionably widen the rift between the

percentage have managed to find new jobs.

job market winners and the job market losers.
A word to the winners among us: let’s not forget to look behind
us at those who have lost out – including the colleagues who have
dropped out of our midst. And let us dedicate ourselves anew to
the time-honoured corporate social responsibility schemes that
bring the disadvantaged back into the fold. Helping more of these
people – especially them – to find work, would certainly do the
diversity on the Zuidas streets a world of good.

Ruben van Zwieten (b. 1983) is a minister and the founder of De Nieuwe Poort on Claude
Debussylaan – a café-restaurant, workspace, cultural and social enterprise all rolled into one.
With a portfolio of fitness-for-the-spirit subscriptions for employers, he coaches Dutch executives in
reflecting on their lives, work and involvement with society. Besides being a member of the Dutch
banking code monitoring committee and a columnist for the Dutch financial daily Financieele
Dagblad, he is also a popular speaker and event chair. Ruben is married and lives in Amsterdam.

Ruben van Zwieten

19.

Henriette van Eeghen, Elsemieke Bergema & Jet Happel

Race to benefit Emma children’s
hospital AMC support fund

G&S Vastgoed rallies
for little ones
On 14 October 2016 G&S Vastgoed will be organizing Emma’s Fund Racing, a special racing event at the Zandvoort circuit
to raise money for the Emma children’s hospital support fund. Proceeds will go to the Intensive Care Neonatology
department at the Emma Kinderziekenhuis AMC, the children’s hospital Amsterdam. The department, which specializes
in providing nursing care for prematurely born babies and ill newborns, is in need of renovation.
G&S Vastgoed communications representative Jet Happel first

director Henriette van Eeghen was so inspiring, we immediately

heard about the Emma support foundation at an event in Zuidas:

knew we had to get involved. G&S Vastgoed is committed to

‘The Emma children’s hospital seeks to give the littlest ones the

a high quality of life in Amsterdam. Our projects respond to

best possible chance of a full life later on. The Emma support

specific needs within the city, whether for residential, office or

foundation helps to raise the necessary funds. The enthusiasm

leisure space, or accommodation for education, culture or care.

and passion conveyed by the Emma support foundation’s

This initiative is a perfect fit.’

20.

NIGHT AND DAY

in ten don’t make it… For parents, it’s very tough emotionally to

Jet and her colleague Elsemieke Bergema, who is responsible

sit in a ward where there’s no privacy. That’s why we’re raising

for the organization of the event, were invited to experience

money to build a whole new department with separate family

a day at the IC Neonatology department, so they could see for

rooms. Each child will get its own room with enough space

themselves why the money for renovation is so urgently needed.

to accommodate the parents. They will even be able to

‘The Emma children’s hospital is a wonderful place for children

stay the night. Thanks to the support of organizations like

and their parents; everything you see here testifies to that.

G&S Vastgoed, we may gather the funds needed for extras;

They’ve literally thought of every detail – from a cinema to a

for special features, like sofa beds for parents, that will surely

secondary school. But compared to the IC Neonatology

make a big difference.’

department, the contrast in their respective situations becomes
glaringly apparent. The three wards are packed with incubators
and equipment, resulting in a huge shortage of space and no

Emma Fund Race

privacy for parents whatsoever.’

On Friday 14 October, G&S Vastgoed will be teaming up
with Stotsy and Catapult to host the Emma Fund Race.

“Our projects respond to
specific needs within the city,
whether for residential, office or
leisure space, or accommodation
for education, culture or care”

For a € 2,750 contribution, 60 business teams, made up
of four members each, can experience an afternoon of
speed and competition on the Zandvoort racing circuit.
On Saturday 15 October, children from the AMC-UvA
Emma children’s hospital will be given free rein of the
circuit along with their parents and siblings. It’s sure to
be an unforgettable day, brimful of surprises and the
simple and carefree enjoyment of feeling like a kid.
Want to enter your business team in the Emma Fund
Race or make an alternative contribution? Go to:
www.emmafundracing.nl.

FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIVES

G&S Vastgoed

Henriette van Eeghen, the Emma children’s hospital foundation

Gustav Mahlerlaan 34

support fund director, affirms this, saying, ‘Sometimes, space is

1082 MC Amsterdam

so tight that parents can barely squeeze in, even though that

+31 (0)20 673 37 79

sense of parental presence is precisely what these infants need.
The babies here are literally fighting for their lives; almost one

Text Kika Samsom | Photography Milan Hofmans

21.

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability
News
22.

SUSTAINABILITY
INVESTING IN SOLAR ENERGY TOGETHER
Tapping into sustainable energy sources is not only carbonefficient, but highly cost-efficient as well. At NUON, four
employees came up with a great system to get their colleagues
involved in sustainable energy production, while sharing in
the financial profits at the same time. The ZonSamen
subscription model allows employees to co-invest in solar
panels, which are to be installed on their own company
rooftop. This has resulted in 1,300 solar panels on the
roofs of the NUON headquarters and its auxiliary buildings,
and the energy generated is used on-site. The participating
employees made a joint investment in sustainable energy
by buying bonds through ZonSamen, and via tax benefits
they profit from individual investments.

WASTELESS WEEKS AT VU AMSTERDAM
During May, VU Green Office – the sustainability platform run
by and for the benefit of VU Amsterdam students – organized
the WasteLESS Weeks to draw attention to waste recycling
and reduction, and the problem of food waste in particular.
The initiative featured a range of events and activities spotlighting waste. GO VU’s Ankie Petersen explains, ‘Waste separation and reduction is an issue that deserves to be highlighted
at organizations, our own university, and in the daily life of our
students. Therefore, following the WasteLESS Weeks, Green
Office and VU Amsterdam will continue their efforts towards
making lasting improvements on this front. Our action plan is
outlined on the GO VU website www.greenofficevu.nl.’

ZUIDAS PAIRS UP WITH SENIORS
On 29 June, seniors living in Amsterdam Zuid and clients of
the district food bank gathered with people working in Zuidas
for the annual lunch concert excursion to Amsterdam’s
famous Concertgebouw. Spearheaded by GBC Zuidas,
the initiative is meant to raise awareness about loneliness
among seniors and people in straitened circumstances,
who rely on food bank assistance. ‘After my husband passed
away, I went to concerts on my own a few times’, one older
participant related, ‘but during the intermission I’d be
standing all by myself, and because of that I eventually
stopped going. Now I’m acquainted with lots of people.
This lady sitting next to me lives in the flat next door.’

Would you like to make Zuidas more sustainable? Find out how at www.greenbusinessclub.nl.
Send your news on sustainability to maartje@greenbusinessclub.nl.

net for failing banks, along with the European deposit
guarantee scheme totalled € 98 million in this first
quarter. Over the whole of 2016 the banks expect
to pay € 270 million in statutory charges.

24.

Zuidas - In the run-up to a limited public offering of shares

Lower financing costs put Kardan
back in the black

Companies still failing to get a handle
on new digital technologies

Zuidas - A substantial decrease in financing costs has helped

Zuidas - Even though the economy is digitizing at an

Kardan achieve higher earnings over the first quarter of

unheard of pace, there is still an unabated pressure on

2016, so the Euronext-listed Israeli investment company

productivity. How is this possible? This question was

reported on 26 May. ‘Financing costs and sharp devaluation

posed by the Conference Board, an American corporate

of the Chinese yuan had a major effect on our performance’,

think tank, in its recently published report, Navigating

said Ariel Hasson, who succeeded Shouky Oren as Kardan’s

the New Economy. The ‘paradox of the new digital

CEO on 15 April 2016, following the latter’s four year’s term

economy’, according to the report, is that while many

with the company. During the first three months of this

companies are investing heavily – and perhaps even

year, Kardan posted a net profit of € 1.9 million, compared

over-investing – in ICT, they are still ill-equipped to

to a loss of € 7.6 million in the same period last year.

harness the latest digital possibilities. According to

According to Kardan, these results were largely

the Conference Board, the stage of successful

attributable to ‘significantly’ lower borrowing costs,

implementation of new technological findings and

thanks to the weak Israeli shekel relative to the euro.

innovations is still to come.

Compared to last year, its first quarter turnover this year
was down from € 39.0 million to € 31.6 million.

Flexible workforce continues to grow
Zuidas - The number of people working under flexible
employment contracts in the Netherlands continues to grow,
reaching 1.7 million – one quarter of the total Dutch workforce
– during the first quarter of 2016. This is up from 1.6 million
two years ago, according to figures published by Statistics
Netherlands. Flexible contracts are on the rise across all age
brackets, with the largest growth among youth under 25.

12-14 JULY 2016 /// 11AM-2PM
This summer, Zuidas will set the scene for a new three-day cycling festival. On 12, 13 and 14 July, ‘Zuidas Fietst’ will take
Gustav Mahlerplein by storm. As the big infra projects proliferate, bikes will become an increasingly attractive transport
option. What’s more, cycling is fun, environmentally friendly and healthy. During this three-day event, Mahlerplein will come
alive around lunchtime with a variety of cycling activities, a bike market, music, daily guided architectural tours and the opening
celebration of the brand-new underground bike park! For the full programme, see: www.amsterdam.nl/zuidas/zuidasfietst.

TUESDAY
12 JULY 2016

WEDNESDAY
13 JULY 2016

THURSDAY
14 JULY 2016

Zuidas Fietst starts at 11am

Come to a huge picnic in the park

At 9:30am Amsterdam Alderman

with a bike market, fun promos,

from 11:30am to 2pm, where

for Traffic and Transport

bike stunts, a knowledge exchange

Mahlerplein restaurateurs will

PieterLitjens will officially open

and the kick-off of the cycling track

provide their guests with a special

Gustav Mahlerplein’s new

where races will be

bicycle-themed lunch. There will

underground bike parking facility.

organized for charity.

also be a special sneak preview of

All are welcome to attend. After the

the Grachtenfestival. And don’t

opening ceremony, visitors can

forget to bring your bike so it may be

hit their pedals for charity on the

engraved by Amsterdam’s municipal

cycling track. And for the real

bike engraving team! Check out

daredevils among us, try taking

amsterdam.nl/zuidas/zuidasfietst,

a spin on the stunt bike!

for an early-bird picnic deal.

Photography Wiebke Wilting

29.

Agenda Zuidas Amsterdam

THROUGH 14 AUGUST 2016
MAGNETOCEPTIA
EVERY MONDAY IN JULY
& AUGUST 2016
PIZZA SPECIAL
@ CORSO COMO
Every Monday evening, during the
months of July and August at Zuidas’
you can enjoy tasty pizzas at the
Italian trattoria Corso Como in the
WTC building, for only € 9.50.
The open-plan kitchen is a real
eye-catcher, offering a view of
fresh Italian cookery in full flow.
In addition to pizzas, Corso Como
also offers a varied menu for lunch,
dinner and drinks.

EVERY DAY
Open, weather permitting
LUNCH OR DRINKS
@ TERRAS IN THE NEW AND
IMPROVED BEATRIXPARK
11:30AM-7:30PM
A ‘vegetarian board’ of specially
selected dishes serves as your basis
for a healthful lunch, supplemented to
order with fish or meat and bread fresh
from our own bakery. All ingredients
come from local farms and producers.
Local, honest and pure! For questions
or group bookings, call us:
+31 (0)20 6440100. Or visit us at:
restaurantas.nl.

EXHIBITION
@ GLAZEN HUIS AMSTELPARK
Magnetoceptia consists of a series of
sound performances and installations
revolving around self-made antennaed
suits that render electromagnetic fields
audible to the human ear. The presentations situate the works in a new
context in which elements of the
production location – sound, video,
materials – are drawn into the
performance to form a new universe.
For more info, see: www.zone2source.net.

FRIDAY 1 JULY
& FRIDAY 5 AUGUST 2016
WARSTEINER

EVERY FRIDAY FROM 5PM
IN JULY & AUGUST
FRIDAY AFTERNOON
DRINKS
@ GUSTAVINO
Cap every working week with Friday
afternoon drinks at Gustavino from
5pm.You are invited to order a bottle
of wine and get a plate of nibbles on
the house.

30.

FROM MID-JULY 2016
FIRST OUTDOOR
FITNESS PARK
@ BEATRIXPARK
Get your daily workout at the
Outdoor Fitness Park in Beatrixpark:
a perfect spot to loosen up during
your lunch break. The Outdoor
Fitness Park is open 24/7 and will
have its official opening ceremony
in September.

FRIDAY TOAST&ROAST
@ THE ROAST ROOM
from 4pm
Every first Friday of the month
THE ROAST ROOM puts its own
special spin on Friday post-work
drinks: the Warsteiner FRIDAY
TOAST&ROAST. It’s the perfect way
to round off the working week and
bring a toast to the first weekend
of the month. Enjoy drinks with
artisanal bites prepared by THE
ROAST ROOM, fantastic cocktails,
ice-cold Warsteiner beer and a
DJ mixing the music.

JULY - AUGUST 2016
Next magazine will be published @ 29th of August. Send your agenda to hellozuidas@asega.nl before 25th of July.

MONDAY 4 JULY 2016
10 STEPS TO A
SUCCESSFUL WEBINAR
@ COMPANY WEBCAST
3-4pm
For an organization to succeed,
everybody has to be working towards
the same purpose. Good internal
communication is key. Webinars are
an ideal medium for getting that
communication across effectively.
But what’s actually involved in creating
a good webinar? This free webinar
covers all the essential basics.
Sign up on: companywebcast.nl.

6-10 JULY 2016
EUROPEAN ATHLETICS
CHAMPIONSHIPS
@ OLYMPIC STADIUM
Support your favourite athletes as
they go for European gold at the
European Athletics Championships.
Here’s your chance to see Dutch
champion sprinter Dafne Schippers!
There’s also plenty to see and do
around the stadium. Tickets start
at € 10 and are offered for sale at:
amsterdam2016.org/nl/tickets.
On 7 July, members of WTC
AMSTERDAM BUSINESS CLUB
are invited to a special VIP evening.
For info, see:
wtcamsterdambusinessclub.com.

THURSDAY 7 JULY
THURSDAY 4 AUGUST 2016
JAZZ AT THE SOUTHAZZ
@ DE NIEUWE POORT
5-8pm
Enjoy an evening of jazz every first
Thursday of the month at De Nieuwe
Poort. Chat with friends over drinks
under the ambient lighting of one of
our round tables while a live jazz
band plays in the background.
Modern musicians take you back to
the classic jazz age with the likes of
Parker, Davis and Gillespie. You’ll be
feeling smooth and mellow in no
time! Admission is free.

FRIDAY 15 JULY 2016
THE COMMON LINNETS
@ BOSTHEATER,
AMSTERDAMSE BOS
Catch the The Common Linnets on
stage at the Bostheater, Amsterdamse Bos, on Friday 15 July. Band
members Ilse DeLange, JB Meijers,
Jake Etheridge and Matthew Crosby
play a signature mix of country and
modern Americana. A huge hit at
all the big festivals, this is a chance
to experience the band like never
before, in the intimate setting of this
outdoor theatre. Tickets for sale on:
liveatamsterdamsebos.nl/concerten.

TUESDAY 12 TILL
THURSDAY 14 JULY 2016
ZUIDAS FIETST
(ZUIDAS IS CYCLING)
This summer, Zuidas will set the scene
for a new three-day cycling festival.
As the big infra projects proliferate,
bicycles will become an increasingly
attractive transport option. During
this three-day event, Mahlerplein will
come alive at lunchtime with a variety
of cycling activities, a bike market,
music, daily guided architectural
tours and the opening celebration
of the brand-new underground bike
park! For the full programme, see:
amsterdam.nl/zuidas/zuidasfietst.

SATURDAY 16 JULY 2016
A DAY AT THE PARK
@ AMSTERDAMSE BOS
Set in Amsterdam’s most attractive
green surrounds, ‘A Day at the Park’
is an annual festival revolving around
all the beautiful things in life. You’ll be
treated to the best in electronic
music (and other styles), theatre,
entertainment, gorgeous wines and
gastronomic cuisine, all in the
Amsterdamse Bos. For info, see:
www.adayatthepark.nl.

31.

Agenda Zuidas Amsterdam

18 JULY - 26 AUGUST 2016
ART ZUID ART CAMPS

TUESDAY 2 AUGUST 2016
LESBIAN SPEED DATING

@ ST NICOLAASKLOOSTER
In midsummer ARTZUID will be
organizing a six-week art camp for
kids aged 6-18. Under the direction
of artist Maria Hovius, they’ll team
up with friends to develop their
creative potential as budding artists.
Your child will gain inspiration from
and acquaint itself with a variety of
materials, forms, contours, colours
and techniques. This will result in a
creation of their very own design.
All of the artworks will be displayed
during an exhibition that will be on
view for the entire summer. For more
info, see: www.artzuid.nl/artcamp.

@ FITCH & SHUI
from 7:30pm
In search of other great singles?
Try speed dating with Fitch & Shui!
This evening is reserved specifically
for lesbians between the ages of 25
and 40. Meet a new person every
four minutes and indicate your interest
after each speed date with a simple
yes or no on the dating card.
Want to enjoy a fun evening while
dating fabulous women?
Register now on: www.aboutlove.nl.

FRIDAY 26 AUGUST 2016
OPENING OF PALACE RUIN
BY JAMES BECKETT
@ MAHLERPLEIN
5-7pm
Artist James Beckett’s smokewreathed Palace Ruin on Gustav
Mahlerplein in Zuidas is conceived
as a fragment of Amsterdam’s very
own ‘crystal palace’ (Paleis voor
Volksvlijt, 1864) that was destroyed
by fire in 1929. The art project will
be inaugurated with a lecture and
concert. Every Friday in September
and also on 7 October, a mix of
architecture lectures and music
performances will be staged in the
Palace Ruin. For further info about
the project, and the schedule of
events, see: www.taak.me.

22-24 AUGUST 2016
FUTURE OF EVENTS
WEDNESDAY 20 JULY 2016
BEATS, BALLS & BUSINESS
@ AMSTELBORGH GOLF CLUB
Expand your network with entrepreneurs from the Amsterdam region
on the 9-hole green, then enjoy
drinks and a dinner buffet, while a DJ
spins his beats in the background.
The Company Golf Club rounds out
the programme with a special guest
speaker who will shed an instructive
light on a topic of current interest.
Regardless of your handicap or
networking success, you’ll be
guaranteed an elucidating afternoon.
Register on:
borchland.nl/inschrijven-bedrijvengolf.

32.

@ RAI AMSTERDAM
Future of Events is a conference,
exhibition and career centre for event
professionals, all brought together
in one energized space. The event
provides professionals with the
tools to develop their personal and
professional competence in the form
of new techniques, creative ideas
and innovations, so as to turn their
future events into game-changing
happenings. The conference features
a unique line-up of inspirational
speakers and interactive workshops
that will challenge event creators on
both a professional and a personal
level. Tickets for sale on:
www.futureofevents.org.

WEDNESDAY 31 AUGUST 2016
FREE WEBINAR
@ COMPANY WEBCAST
11am - 12pm
On 31 August, Company Webcast will
be offering a free online webinar on
how to set up a webinar of your own.
Webinars have become increasingly
popular, but how do you ensure yours
is effective? It’s not that easy. In fact,
when organizing a webinar, a lot can
go pear-shaped. This step-by-step
webinar explains where to begin and
what pitfalls to expect when putting
together your own webinar. Sign up
on: companywebcast.nl.

Grachtenfestival
16 - 18 August 2016

The upcoming edition of the Grachtenfestival will be well represented in Zuidas, with concerts held in local parks,
premises and plazas where you can delight in the harmonies of the country’s biggest classical music festival.

JULY - AUGUST 2016
Next
TUESDAY
16magazine
AUGUST will be published @ 29th of August. Send your agenda to hellozuidas@asega.nl before 25th of July.
LATOEN IN BEATRIXPARK
@ BEETHOVENPLEIN 2
12:30-1:30pm
(square to the rear of the Nicolaas
Lyceum, Stibbe & AkzoNobel)
Latoen is a ten-piece brass ensemble
plus percussion. With a cross-cutting
programme created especially for
this year’s Grachtenfestival, they’ll
be performing near the park in a
tucked-away corner amidst the
stunning architecture of Zuidas.

TUESDAY 16 AUGUST
ARDEMUS SAXOPHONE

THURSDAY 18 AUGUST
PELGRIM BRASS

WEDNESDAY 17 AUGUST
NOOTA SAXOPHONE DUO

QUARTET
@ LOYENS & LOEFF
Starts at 5:30pm
This year, Hello Zuidas will once
again host a private concert at
Loyens & Loeff. Since its formation
in 2014, the Ardemus Quartet has
played across the Netherlands and
Europe, including performances
in Amsterdam at the Holland
Festival, SAX14 Festival at the Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ and in the Recital Hall
at The Concertgebouw. This 30minute concert will be followed by
drinks. Hello Zuidas members who
wish to attend may register via:
servicepoint@hellozuidas.com.

ON STAGE
@ ALACE RUIN ART PROJECT
GUSTAV MAHLERPLEIN
5-6pm
Pelgrim Brass consists of five ambitious
brass players from Rotterdam.
The quintet puts together unique
programmes perfectly pitched to
every location they play and this
time it will be made up of music
from the period 1887-1929, featuring
composers Mahler, Robert Fuchs
(Mahler’s teacher), Brahms and
other contemporaries. Don’t miss
this unique concert, tailor-made
for a special location in the heart
of Zuidas.

@ SUMMERTIME,
GUSTAV MAHLERLAAN 637
Noota Saxofoon Duo is a young,
international saxophone duo made
up of Marijke Schröer from the
Netherlands and David Cristóbal
Litago from Spain. Noota’s credits
include concerts in the Casa de
Cultura in Villalgordo del Jucar,
Spain, the Bethaniënklooster in
Amsterdam and the Oosterpoort
in Groningen. Take a peek inside
the Summertime residential tower
in Zuidas and enjoy the sounds
of summer!

33.

Untitled 2016
There are not many opportunities to witness what actually happens when people visit an exhibition. Historically, exhibition spaces
have been regarded as a locus for the exchange of ideas and emotions. In his work, Tomo Savic-Gecan concentrates on expanding
the perception and experiences of exhibition viewers. Here in Zuidas, the artist has constructed a white space that manifests
physical changes in response to the experiences of visitors to the Van Abbemuseum collections in Eindhoven.Â Savic-Gecan uses
sensors to measure the bodily impact of viewing the displays and then translates those measurements to the physical exhibition
space. His work is on view on Zuidplein.

This project was developed in collaboration with the Van Abbemuseum /// Photography Marc Dorleijn

35.

MOBILITY

Zuidas
mobility test
the e-bike!
The next few years will see the launch of a number of largescale infrastructure projects, starting with works on
De Boelelaan, to be followed by the construction of
Zuidasdok. These projects can’t help but affect car traffic
into Zuidas, which will make alternative transport options
increasingly attractive. In the months to come, we’ll be
zooming in on those alternatives in this section. In this
Martine Gründemann, director at G&S Vastgoed

issue: the e-bike.

Martine Gründemann, director at G&S Vastgoed, test-cycled a

simple phone calls, and that’s not possible when riding this bike.

Kalkhoff Tasman Benelux for the duration of one week.

You’ve got to stay fully focused because of the speed, and the
rushing wind whistling in your ears. Though I’ve heard there are

How do you normally commute to work?

special headphones made to tackle that particular problem.

‘By car, which I have done for quite a few years now, and I’ve been

But apart from that, you could say I’m a fan! The e-bike afforded

working in Zuidas since 2004. On a standard bike it takes me forty

a fast and smooth ride and shifting gears also went very

minutes to get from my home on Borneokade to here, so I’m much

smoothly. You don’t hear the motor at all. Starting up from the

faster taking the car.’

traffic lights, I even overtook scooters. I’ve already made up my
mind to buy one. With an e-bike, all of Amsterdam is within a

How did you like the e-bike?

thirty minute cycle’s reach. I can even keep up with my husband

‘It was fantastic! In fact, can I just keep it?! Commuting by e-bike

on his VanMoof. I’d recommend trying it to everybody.

was even faster than driving, and having a bike is also convenient

I’ve certainly been won over!’

for daytime appointments in the city. Besides, it’s wonderful to be
outdoors after a long, hard day; it frees you mind. That said, I got
to trial the bike during one of the loveliest weeks of this year so far.’

“Commuting by e-bike was
even faster than driving”

What are the pros and cons?
‘I never would have chosen this bike on appearance alone –

The bicycle used for this one-week test was supplied by Hans

looks do matter! Also, I tend to use my car time to make

Struijk Fietsen. For more information, visit www.hansstruijk.nl.

36.

Text Kika Samsom | Photography Jalisa Oudenaarde

MOBILITY

The 2016 national
e-bike test
The Dutch Cyclist’s Union teamed up with the Telegraaf newspaper, the Dutch consumers’ association and several dozen
volunteers to test e-bikes in three price categories. The overall winner was the Kalkhoff Tasman Benelux, with the best
cost-quality ratio of all bikes tested.

WINNER E-BIKES UP TO € 2,000
The Qwic Premium N7.1 at € 1,999. Good ride characteristics
and powerful pedal assistance. Testers praised the bike’s
responsiveness and stability. They gave good marks for the
pedal assistance on both hills and flat areas, though initial
acceleration was deemed to be too strong.

WINNER E-BIKES BETWEEN € 2,000 AND € 2,500
Kalkhoff Tasman Benelux at € 2,399. This bike scored well on
all fronts. Testers gave high marks for the bike’s responsiveness,
stability and comfort and were also positive about the pedal
assistance. This bike was the overall winner.

WINNER E-BIKES € 2,500 AND UP
BSP E-volt Urban EC10 at € 2,599. Testers raved about the
stable ride and responsiveness, thanks to the bike’s rigid
frame and broad tyres. Good assistance from STEPS system.
Drawbacks are the weight and the fine-tuning.

37.

ARCHITECTURE

Zuidas Architecture
Zuidas is renowned for its pioneering architecture. As it matures into an international quarter of
Amsterdam, buildings are shooting up right and left. Amidst all these modern skyscrapers, it may
be difficult to imagine that just about 20 years ago this stretch of land connecting the residential
neighbourhoods of Zuid and Buitenveldert consisted mostly of tennis courts and football pitches.
In this new series we zoom in on the architecture of Zuidas. This time we take a closer look at the
Infinity building: an architectural tour-de-force also fondly known as ‘the shoe’ and ‘the iron’.
Who could fail to notice this striking glass-fronted building along Amsterdam’s A10 ring road?

TENANTS

includes flexible work stations, conference spaces

Lexence advocaten & notarissen

and virtual offices. The company’s business

Lexence offers law and civil-law notary services and

centre is based at Infinity.

is specialized in providing expert legal assistance
for real estate and corporate law solutions.

FACTS
• The former ‘ING House’ was officially opened by His Royal Highness

Prince Willem-Alexander, then the Dutch crown prince, in 2002.

• In 2014, ING moved out, though the company remained the owner

of the building, currently leasing it to various tenants.

• Following extensive renovations, the building got a new lease of life as

the multi-tenant Infinity office tower.

• Infinity is founded on 16 piles.
• The tower’s design is highly attuned to nature, boasting no fewer than

six courtyard gardens, created by landscape architect Michael van Gessel.

Text Kika Samsom | Photography The Office Operators

39.

200
MEMBERS!
We are proud to have 200 member organizations on board! Thank you
for being part of our mission. Together we will continue to promote Zuidas
as an attractive Amsterdam city district. We strive for an international
and sustainable appeal, and high quality working and living conditions.

Do you want more information about a Hello Zuidas Membership?
Please call + 31 (0)20 3337441 or send an email to servicepoint@hellozuidas.com.

Sunset Zuidas Special
at the Zaanse Golf Club!
Work in Zuidas? Enjoy a special Sunset Zuidas rate
at the Zaanse Golf Club during the summer months
(through September), with three 18-hole games
for a green fee of just â&#x201A;Ź 65 per person.
Come play a round after work with colleagues, clients, friends or
on your own, a mere 20 minutesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; drive from Zuidas! The special
rate applies from 4pm.
To avoid disappointment, consult our
tee closures before your arrival on
www.zaansegolfclub.com.
We look forward to seeing you at
the Zaanse Golf Club!

Zuiderweg 68, Wijdewormer | +31 (0)299 438 199
www.zaansegolfclub.com

New ruin in Zuidas
From 15 August to 15 October, Zuidas will boast another impressive building. Not another office
block, but a ruin. On Gustav Mahlerplein, artist James Beckett will be reconstructing a fragment
of Amsterdam’s own ‘crystal palace’, the Paleis voor Volksvlijt that went up in flames in 1929.
In an old photo of the structure after attempts to douse the fire, we see what’s left of one side of
the building, surrounded by the haze of smoke and rumble. This photo was Beckett’s inspiration
for the art project Palace Ruin (working title).

WHAT IS PALACE RUIN?

burned remains of the palace will now be

Beckett: ‘Palace Ruin is a reconstruction of this

standing amidst its legacy!’

original fragment of the Paleis voor Volksvlijt
the photo exactly. The sculpture will be blackened

WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE PALACE THAT
APPEALS TO YOU?

and even emit puffs of smoke. To get all the details

‘I read a lot about the history of industrialization

right, I consulted the city archives and talked to

and came across the story of this palace one day.

experts about how fire affects architecture.’

It was a building with a cultural purpose,

scaled down to half the actual size. I’m reproducing

hosting concerts, exhibitions and operas,

James Beckett

THE PALACE STOOD ON FREDERIKSPLEIN
IN AMSTERDAM. WHY RECONSTRUCT IT
IN ZUIDAS?

conceived to offer people an outlet in a fast-

‘I thought it would be an interesting juxt-

in the ruin, in association with TAAK, on Friday

aposition to create a ruin in an area so manifestly

afternoons. These events will shine a modern

For the full cultural

focused on the future. Also, in its day the palace

light on the idea behind the old palace. The concerts

programme, visit

represented a visionary application of the new

will encompass everything, from early twentieth-

www.taak.me.

architecture of steel and glass. Essentially, it was

century classical music to experimental black

a precursor of the high-rises in Zuidas. So the

metal to a Tuba/drone trio.’

industrializing society. To reflect that function,
I’ll be organizing lectures and musical performances

41.

Ebe Treffers

Olaf Vogelaar

Flip Kerkhoven & Jan Peter Balkenende

Coen van Oostrom
& Pi de Bruin

Wendy Verschoor
& Robert Lodder

42.

Ralph de Munnik
& Cor van Zadelhoff

Dick van Hal

PROVADA
7, 8 & 9 June @ Amsterdam RAI
• PROVADA is the premier annual trade fair for the real estate
sector. During the three-day event, a diverse range of real estate
players gathered at the RAI to share their plans, ideas and visions.
• More than twenty Zuidas-based companies had stands at
PROVADA, including Savills, CBRE and PropertyNL.
• Former Prime Minister and current EY partner Prof Jan Peter
Balkenende opened the 12th edition of PROVADA.
• Each day had a different focus: Smart Cities on 7 June,
Game Changers on 8 June and Business Innovation on 9 June.

Clive Pritchard

Jeroen de Bruijn

Lesley Bamberger

Stef Blok, Peter Keur & Wabe van Enk

Peter van Bosse

Daan Hoogenboom

Jaap van Rhijn

Jeroen Lokerse

Photography PropertyNL

Robert Bakker, Hugo Bruijn,
Louise Landman & Thijs Schouten

Odette van der Veeken
& Willeke Adriaanse

Douwe Engelsman
& Floris Boesveldt

Robert Jan Schouten
& Tommy Tilborghs

ZUIDAS RUN
12 June @ George Gershwinplein
• Upwards of 2,200 professionals gathered at the starting line.
• Altogether, 233 companies signed up to run.
• The accountancy sector contributed a mere 3% of the race
participants, compared to 53% from the consultancy sector.
• The average age of the runners was 33.
• NH Hotels catered a finger-licking Zuidas Run BBQ.

Team Accenture

Lisa, Olivier & Jasper

Patrick Korsuize
& Rens van der Plas

Pim Hilbers, Rutger Rozendaal,
Dico van Dissel & Thomas v. Dop

Maarten Brood & Nazim Keser

Bas Lamphen, Robert Jan
Bosecke & Mark Bakker

Team Daan Auctions

Hakim Khalafi, Elisabeth van
Rompuy & Sergio Duarte

Kelly Lubbers, Jurrgen de
Ridder & Annelou van Sluis

Joris Roelants
& Paul schim van der Loeff

Willem Jan Graaf, Joan School & Joost Galen

Photography Fenna Beckers

43.

SPECIAL

Living
in Zuidas
Where once Zuidas was predominantly known as
Amsterdam’s financial centre, these days an increasing
number of people call this district home. In fact, Zuidas has
become one of the biggest residential building locations
throughout the city. With a total of 8,000 to 9,000 new units
slated for development in the period up to 2040, Zuidas has
joined the ranks of IJburg, the Amstel quarter and the IJ
embankments. Hello Zuidas talked to three current and
Vladimir Zdravkovic

VLADIMIR ZDRAVKOVIC
BUILDING DJANGO. MOVING INTO 900MAHLER
WITH HIS WIFE AND SON SHORTLY.

future residents.
as you’d expect. When my wife moved to the Netherlands,
I remained in Paris for another two years because of my work.
Friends said I was mad, but actually it was very easy: you can
be in Zuidas in no time, and the train stops on your doorstep!

WHY DID YOU MOVE?

For my son this is also a great neighbourhood. There are at

‘We came here from Serbia and before that moved around a

least ten other kids his age in the building.’

lot for our work, including Italy and France. But the Netherlands
are my favourite! People are very open minded and the country
is welcoming to foreigners, and that makes it wonderful to
live here. In 2008 we’d been living in Rotterdam for a while.
Then I got a good job offer in Paris, so we moved there.

‘When an opportunity opened up for her
at ABN AMRO in Zuidas, we didn’t have
to think twice’

However, my wife had absolutely no luck finding work in France,
despite her strong CV. When an opportunity opened up for
her at ABN AMRO in Zuidas, we didn’t have to think twice.’

WHAT COULD BE IMPROVED?
‘We’d love a swimming pool! But I’ve heard they’re working

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO LIVE IN ZUIDAS?

on that over at Clubsportive, across the street. Some more

‘As a neighbourhood, Zuidas is without equal. Everything is

local shops would be nice too, a good baker and an Italian deli,

clean, new and well organized. Also, accessibility is fantastic,

for example.’

Text Kika Samsom | Photography Jalisa Oudenaarde

45.

SPECIAL

Peter Vroom

Nana Kereselidze

PETER VROOM
BUILDING 900MAHLER. MOVING TO ZUIDAS WITH
HIS GIRLFRIEND SHORTLY.

NANA KERESELIDZE
BUILDING AMSTERDAM SYMPHONY. NANA MOVED
IN WITH HER HUSBAND JUST OVER A YEAR AGO.

WHY DID YOU MOVE?

WHY DID YOU MOVE?

‘I live just outside Purmerend and had been looking for a place

‘Before, we lived in the Oud-Zuid district, which has lots of old

in Amsterdam for a while. I looked in Oost and IJburg, but neither

homes. While an old building has its charms, new buildings appeal

really felt right. Then I heard about 900Mahler, a luxury

to me more. We just fell in love with this stunning building. It feels

Manhattan-style tower. My interest was piqued straight away!

like you’re living in Manhattan, right in the heart of Amsterdam.

I love city life and often spend time in Dubai and Singapore.

It’s a unique mix, for sure. And the view is breathtaking.

Skyscrapers appeal to me especially, and this location captures

It’s endlessly fascinating; every day is different from the last.’

that ambiance. The view from my flat on the 16 floor is to
th

die for – you can see all the way to Ouderkerk and Schiphol.’

‘I love city life and often spend time
in Dubai and Singapore’

‘While an old building has its charms,
new appeals to me more’
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO LIVE IN ZUIDAS?
‘It’s brilliant! Everything is so close by. It’s a mere five minutes

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS OF LIFE
IN ZUIDAS?

by train to Schiphol. Before, I never took the train anywhere,

‘I’ve watched the building rise from the ground up. Lately,

pass. Beyond that, it’s a safe neighbourhood with a bustling,

it’s really gone fast. The whole neighbourhood is evolving,

international vibe.’

but I’ve been completely converted. I’ve even got a season rail

as well. At first, this was mostly a place where people worked,
but now more and more people are choosing to live here,

WHAT COULD BE IMPROVED?

which livens up the neighbourhood a lot. There’s a fantastic

‘On weekdays Zuidas is busy, but it shuts down during the

fitness club at the Olympic Stadium, and on my scooter I can

weekend. More restaurants could open their doors during

reach the city centre in minutes. I’ve also got a boat berthed

weekends. But it’s not that big a deal, since you can be in the

in Amsterdam. I can’t wait to come and live here!’

centre in minutes.’

Text Kika Samsom | Photography Jalisa Oudenaarde

47.

SPECIAL

Roy Klemann

Yaphet Ahmed

ROY KLEMANN (23) & YAPHET AHMED
(21) DENTISTRY STUDENTS, BOTH IN
THEIR SECOND YEAR.
BUILDING RAVEL RESIDENCE
WHY DID YOU MOVE?
Roy: I’m from Alkmaar originally and moved to
Amsterdam for University. I wanted a new-build
and luxury apartment, and I definitely found
that here.
Yaphet: We’re both very busy with our studies
and have to be at ACTA a lot, so that makes it
nice to be close to VU Amsterdam.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO LIVE IN ZUIDAS?
Roy: Great. You don’t necessarily notice that
you’re living in the middle of a business district.
There are plenty of other students here too.
I like the fact that it’s quiet, but I wouldn’t want
to stay indefinitely.
Yaphet: It’s good. The modern vibe and the
buildings here really appeal to me, and with this
skyline you don’t feel like you’re living outside
the city.

WHAT COULD BE IMPROVED?
Roy: I miss the busy street scene and the sense
that you’re really in Amsterdam.
Yaphet: I would like to cook more with other
students in this building. We are neighbours, so I
think it’s important to build a good relationship!

Text & Photography Odette van der Veeken & Lisa Bloemenkamp

49.

SPECIAL

Jouke Baaima and Michael Berendsen from ServicedApartments.nl

50.

SPECIAL

ServicedApartments.nl
helping to find a temporary
home in the Netherlands
As the ease, frequency and distance of travel have grown, the world has steadily become smaller. Thanks to the internet,
we can work literally anywhere we please. Today’s professionals think nothing of relocating abroad for short projects or
longer stays, or simply to get a taste of living in a different country. Demand for comfortable, short-stay apartments is
growing among these globe-trotting professionals, also known as ‘expats’. ServicedApartments.nl is meeting this growing
demand with a carefully selected range of apartments throughout the Netherlands, collected on its reliable web platform.
Enjoy hotel-quality service with the feeling of home.
The platform is the brainchild of Jouke Baaima and Michael

start their search. Our website makes it easy to find the perfect

Berendsen of Corporate Housing Factory. Offering temporary stay

apartment – simply make your selection, book it, and you’re good

residential accommodations for international professionals,

to go. But we’re more than just a web platform. Tenants can

Corporate Housing Factory has a portfolio of 150 luxury apart-

always contact our service desk by phone or email. We can assist

ments in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Eindhoven.

with anything they might need and we have a large database of

‘With a growing number of expats locating to the Netherlands

local knowledge at our disposal. For instance, if you’d like to live

temporarily, our own apartments were no longer sufficient to

near an international school, we can help arrange it. Our motto

meet the growing demand from professionals at our corporate

sums it up: Thinking globally, acting locally.’

accounts’, explains Michael. ‘We wanted to refer them to partners
who could guarantee the same high level of service, and that’s
how ServicedApartments.nl came into being.’

ALL THE COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE OF HOME

‘We’ve both experienced what it’s like to be
an expat and we know how important it is to
feel at home while you’re in another country’

ServicedApartments.nl provides a platform for providers of
furnished and serviced housing throughout the Netherlands.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

Partners are carefully selected and guarantee the comforts of

With ServicedApartments.nl up and running for several months

home, combined with the high-quality service of a good hotel.

now, Jouke has received very enthusiastic responses from clients

Tenants are assured a personal welcome upon arrival, including all

and partners alike. ‘For our clients, it saves lots of time,

amenities and utilities such as gas, water, electricity and internet

because our selection matches their needs. Our partners

access, as well as weekly cleaning. ‘We’ve both experienced

appreciate how we standardize processes for them. They also

what it’s like to be an expat and we know how important it is

appreciate having a better idea of who is living in their apartments.’

to feel at home while you’re in another country’, Jouke says.

Recently, the platform also inked a global contract with a large

‘Living in a hotel room is not ideal. After a long working day,

partner. ‘They are a major supplier of short-stay apartments

it’s often much nicer to be able to walk through the door of

for multinationals worldwide. With locations in 86 countries,

your own apartment.’

they specifically selected us to handle all requests for the
Netherlands. We’re immensely proud of this partnership.’

Zuidas welcomes new residents
George and Ira Gershwin
As of March, work on the Gershwin Brothers has been in progress on the corner of De Boelelaan and Parnassusweg.
This residential project, named after George and Ira Gershwin, consists of two apartment buildings and is the result
of a municipal push to build more mid-range rental housing in Amsterdam. These days, over 2,000 people call Zuidas home,
and the new metro district is buzzing with energy. By 2030, plans for Zuidas envision a full-fledged residential centre where
some 13,000 people will enjoy high-scale living.
When building in an urban environment, the demands of

The plans for the Gershwin Brothers are basically similar,

ensuring maximum quality come with a few specific challenges.

but built up in a different way to give each its own identity.

According to the architect who thought up the design,

Ira consists of 75 rental apartments (ranging from 55 to 100 m2)

Adriaan Mout of LEVS architecten, these challenges

around a communal courtyard, all done in red-brown brick.

contributed to a fantastic blueprint for Gershwin Brothers.

George presents a lighter façade and apart from 84 rental

‘Working out designs with so many preconditions is like a kind

apartments (55-90 m2) also offers over 900m2 in ground-floor

of algebra. Relying on a multitude of studies, we were able to

commercial space, including a stretch of two-storey frontage

create these spectacular buildings that meet all those conditi-

and a large terrace area along Boelegracht. The mixture of

ons and will be a pleasure to live in. The floor-to-ceiling height

residential and prime outdoor spaces plus amenities will

of over three metres makes for a splendid setting, and the

make the Gershwin Brothers a valuable addition to Zuidas

outdoor spaces, oriented for maximum sun exposure,

for residents and other area users.

will function as the green lungs for both buildings’.

When building in an urban
environment, the demands of
ensuring maximum quality come

Gershwin Brothers is an initiative of Maarsen Groep and
Beheer Brouwershoff and is slated for completion in the
fourth quarter of 2017. Apartments will be released for
rental around spring 2017, but those who are interested
may register on www.gershwinbrothers.com.

with a few specific challenges
53.

SPECIAL

‘t Vloerenhuis

Eric van Es, Andres van Es and Michiel van Beek

greater Amsterdam’s flooring specialist
One doesn’t buy a new wood floor every day. That is why

heating and cooling as well as moisture levels. First, we always

‘t Vloerenhuis on Parnassusweg offers every customer the

pay a visit to our customer to inspect the sub-floor and measure

royal treatment, from the first viewing to service long after

the moisture content. Good preparation is essential when you

the purchase, so as to guarantee our customers a floor

want to avoid problems later on.’

they will love for years to come. This outstanding service
has made ‘t Vloerenhuis the leading flooring specialist in
Amsterdam and the metro region.
At the spacious showroom on Parnassusweg in Amsterdam,
Andrea and Eric van Es told Hello Zuidas about their company:
‘My granddad started the business a 100 years ago’, Eric says,
‘So it’s a genuine family business. A lot has changed during that
century, of course, but not our dedication to our work. Our aim

“Our aim is to make sure
that all our customers continue
to love their wooden floor
for years to come”

is to make sure that all our customers will continue to love their
wooden floor for years to come. Our service goes far beyond simply

ENJOY SUMMER AT DE KERSENTUIN
Come join us for lunch and dinner
or have a bite and cocktail in our bar and terrace
* De Kersentuin is closed from 27th of July until 7th of August

legal • financial • scientific • culture • real estate • business

www.taalcentrum-vu.nl
020 – 598 64 20 | info@taalcentrum-vu.nl

May we take your reservation?
www.dekersentuin.nl

Hello Zuidas welcomes
the following new members
COMPANY PROVAST SECTOR PROJECT DEVELOPMENT NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 20
Link with Zuidas: Provast is working with Commerz Real on the redevelopment of the former Akzo
and Stibbe office blocks in Zuidas, better known as the Twin Towers. Provast is also developing 110
rental housing and 67 owner-occupied units at Frederik Roeskestraat.
Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: Provast specializes in integrated area development
activities, predominantly located in the Randstad area. Public transport locations are the future,
but sustainable development of such locations hinges on good collaboration among various stakeholders.
That is why Provast has joined Hello Zuidas.

COMPANY MARKET 33 – THE URBAN FOOD COURT SECTOR FOOD & DRINKS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 3
Link with Zuidas: Zuidas is rapidly transforming into an area where people not only work, but also live
and play. Market 33 is a friendly meeting place for professionals, residents and people just passing by,
with ten passionate food entrepreneurs and an enthusiastic staff.
Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: Hello Zuidas promotes the district’s international
appeal and high-quality working and living conditions. Market 33 fits in seamlessly with this objective
and offers a great service to both professionals and residents. Together, we can turn Zuidas into an
even more attractive place.

COMPANY STELLA AGENCY SECTOR HOSPITALITY, EVENT & FRONT OFFICE SERVICES
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 8
Link with Zuidas: Stella Agency and Zuidas are a perfect match. Stella is an expanding international
hostess agency that provides high-profile clients with beautiful, talented front-office representatives for
short and long-term assignments around the world. Our Amsterdam office is based in the international
setting of the WTC building.
Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: As a member, we benefit from getting involved,
staying up-to-date and being a part of the Zuidas community. Let’s meet up to do business!

COMPANY VESTEDA SECTOR REAL ESTATE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 200
Link with Zuidas: Our head office is located in Zuidas. We are currently occupying the SOM2 building,
but soon we will be moving to De Boel on De Boelelaan.
Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: As the owner of the New Amsterdam and De Boel
buildings, Vesteda wants to become a full-fledged member of the professional community in Zuidas.
Hello Zuidas makes up the nexus of that community, so we want to be part of it.

COMPANY CLUBSPORTIVE SECTOR HEALTH & FITNESS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 40-50
Link with Zuidas: Energy, speed, positive energy and striving for a higher goal.
Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: As one of the early adaptors in Zuidas, it is only
natural that we become members of Hello Zuidas too.

HelloZuidas

@HelloZuidas

@hellozuidas

Hello Zuidas

57.

MEMO BOARD
W
IN

ENTER TO WIN WITH SEASON FLOWERS

W
IN

Could your office use a bit of greenery? State us your reasons for a chance

W
IN

to win ultra-hip hanging plants valued at € 110, and installed by Season Flowers
(based in Zuidas), to give your office some green flair! They’ve already worked
their magic at the Hello Zuidas editorial office, and it looks fabulous!
For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/hellozuidas.

ZUIDAS: EUROPE’S MOST SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS
AND RESIDENTIAL LOCATION IN 2020?
Zuidas has the ambition to be Europe’s most sustainable business
and residential location in 2020. And we are well on our way towards fulfilling it! Research reveals that buildings in Zuidas are 20% more energy
efficient than the Dutch average, thanks to new bike facilities, underground
thermal energy storage (UTES) and solar panels. Five buildings may claim
the honour of being Zuidas’ most sustainable buildings – now also
contending to head the European top list: 1. The Edge 2. ABN AMRO 3.
NoMA House 4. Kavel P15 Ravel 5. Motel One.

TUNED IN YET TO ZUIDASFM?
Did you know Zuidas has its very own radio station? ZuidasFM is made by Zuidas, for Zuidas,
with discussions ranging from interesting and serious interviews to the latest local gossip.
Take a break from work with a daily dose of fun, information and entertainment. Got something
to share? Input is welcomed at info@zuidasfm.nl.

WEPARC
WeParc is a new valet parking service that carries as its motto that parking
in Amsterdam Zuid/WTC need not be stressful or expensive. Our app
enables users to request a driver, who will pick up their car, park it in one
of our secured lots and return it whenever, wherever. The cost is € 35 all-in
for a full day of parking. Monthly subscriptions are also available. Join now
at www.weparc.com or get in touch with us directly at tim@weparc.com.

OPEN TOWER DAY TO CELEBRATE FIFTH YEAR IN 2017
Open Tower Day has been a huge hit. In Zuidas alone, more than 2,000 visitors came to explore
the five towers that, during one day, were opened to the public. Next year’s edition will be set
to celebrate the event’s five-year anniversary. Interested in signing up your tower for 2017
and/or sponsoring this tip-top event? Send an email to the Open The Doors foundation,
free of obligations, at: info@openthedoors.nl.